Traumatic brain injury is, unfortunately, a very common outcome of car wrecks and other personal injury accidents. Many times, the symptoms are subtle and are mistaken for minor injuries that go untreated. Even if the side effects do not arise until later after the incident, traumatic brain injuries can have a serious effect on physical and cognitive activity of the injured victim.
Traumatic brain injury can be officially defined as “nondegenerative, nongenital insult to the brain from an external mechanical force, possibly leading to temporary or permanent impairment of cognitive, physical and psychosocial functions.” Below are brief explanations of symptoms that affect different areas of the brain and how to spot a minor or major brain injury.
Physical Symptoms
The most obvious signs of a brain injury are thought to be severe headaches, but other physical ailments such as nausea and dizziness can be signs of a minor brain injury. A more serious brain injury may cause extreme pupil dilation of one or both eyes, numbness in fingers or toes, and the inability to wake up from sleeping. A change in senses can also be explained by brain injury, as they can cause blurred vision, loss of smell and taste, and high sensitivity to light and noise.
Cognitive Symptoms
Traumatic brain injuries can cause neurological symptoms that change the way a victim acts from day to day. Those with minor brain injuries may notice having trouble concentrating or mood swings. A more advanced case of a brain injury could cause slurred speech and an increase in agitation over things that usually would not bother the victim.
It is imperative to keep a close watch after yourself or a loved one in the following weeks after a car wreck or severe accident. Even minor traumas should be treated appropriately in order to avoid being a part of the 15% of victims who experience brain injury symptoms for at least one year. Your or family will typically notice the brain injury first, even if there are no immediate consequences from the accident. Victims will have a slight change in mood and ability that may not seem as out of the ordinary to themselves as others perceive.
If you or someone you know has recently been in an accident and is experiencing any of the minor or major symptoms of traumatic brain injury, consult a doctor as soon as possible. If the victim has been in a car wreck or personal injury accident, contact Colley & Colley in Tyler, Texas for a free consultation.
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Austin, TX 78738
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512-477-3335
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